Deployable vehicle door handle having lighting

ABSTRACT

A vehicle door handle is provided that includes a deployable handle body located on a door, keypad contacts on an outer side of the handle body, an actuator configured to deploy the handle to a deployed position, a plurality of proximity sensors located on the handle body and generating activation fields, and a controller processing signals generated by the sensors to determine an input command for controlling the actuator and to determine a keypad input. The handle body may include one or more light sources for illuminating the handle body and/or areas proximate to the vehicle when in the extended position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to powered vehicle doors, andmore particularly relates to a powered vehicle door having door controlinputs sensed via proximity sensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automotive vehicles include various door assemblies for allowing accessto the vehicle, such as passenger doors allowing access to the passengercompartment. The vehicle doors typically include a door handle and alatch assembly that latches the door in the closed position and isoperable by a user to unlatch the door to allow the door to open. Thedoors may pivot or slide on a track between open and closed positions.Some vehicle doors are equipped with a motor to provide power dooropening assist to open the door. Upon receiving a user input, the motoractuates the door to an open position or a closed position. Some vehicledoors further employ deployable handles. It is desirable to provide forvehicle door controls that provides enhanced functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle door handleis provided. The vehicle door handle includes a housing defining acavity within a door of a vehicle, a deployable handle body that movesbetween a stowed position within the cavity and an extended positionextending outside of the cavity, and at least one light source locatedon the handle body for illuminating light.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   the at least one light source comprises a first light source for        illuminating the cavity within the housing when the handle body        is in the extended deployed position;    -   a reflective surface disposed within the housing for reflecting        light onto the handle body;    -   the at least one light source comprises a light source located        on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating a ground        surface proximate to the vehicle;    -   the at least one light source comprises a light source located        on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating a        vehicle door;    -   the light source comprises an ultraviolet light source for        illuminating phosphor on the door;    -   the at least one light source is located proximate an outer end        of the handle body;    -   the handle body further comprises an enlarged portion for        preventing a hand from covering the light source;    -   the door handle further has a proximity sensor for sensing a        hand proximate to the light source, wherein the light source is        deactivated when a hand is detected with the proximity sensor;    -   the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor;    -   the handle body comprises a push end for actuating the handle        body between the stowed and deployed positions, wherein the push        end comprises a light source for illuminating an actuatable        area;    -   the door handle further has an actuator for rotating the handle        body between the stowed and deployed positions; and    -   the door handle is an exterior door handle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle doorhandle is provided. The vehicle door handle includes a housing defininga cavity within a door of a vehicle, a deployable handle body thatrotates between a stowed position within the cavity and an extendedposition extending outside of the cavity, a first light source locatedon the handle body for illuminating light into the cavity within thehousing when the handle body is in the extended deployed position, and areflective surface disposed within the housing for reflecting the lightonto the handle body.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   a second light source located on an exterior side of the handle        body for illuminating a ground surface proximate to the vehicle;        and    -   a third light source located on an exterior side of the handle        body for illuminating a vehicle door.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle doorhandle is provided. The vehicle door handle includes a housing defininga cavity within a door of a vehicle, a deployable handle body thatrotates between a stowed position within the cavity and an extendedposition extending outside of the cavity, and an exterior light sourcelocated on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating at leastone of a ground surface proximate to the vehicle and a vehicle door.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention can include any one ora combination of the following features:

-   -   an interior light source located on an interior side handle body        for illuminating the cavity within the housing when the handle        body is in the extended deployed position, and a reflective        surface disposed within the housing for reflecting light from        the interior light source onto the handle body;    -   the handle body further comprises an enlarged portion for        preventing a hand from covering the exterior light source; and    -   a capacitive sensor for sensing a hand proximate to the exterior        light source, wherein the exterior light source is deactivated        when a hand is detected with the proximity sensor.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a motor vehicle having doorsequipped with deployable door handles having proximity sensed inputcontrols, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle further illustrating the twoforwardmost powered doors in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section II of FIG. 1 further illustratingthe deployable vehicle door handle in the flush retracted stowedposition and a hand gesture input command;

FIG. 4A is a schematic top cut away view of the deployable door handleshown in the flush retracted stowed position and employing a directdrive motor assembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a schematic top cut away view of the deployable door handleof FIG. 4A shown in the extended position;

FIG. 4C is a schematic top cut away view of the deployable door handlein the extended position and employing a worm gear and motor assembly,according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrated controls for processing theproximity sensors associated with the door handle and controlling thedoor and handle actuators;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a door handle presenter openroutine;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a door handle presenter closeroutine;

FIG. 8A is a flow diagram illustrating a door handle ice handlingroutine for sensing and breaking ice;

FIG. 8B is a flow diagram further illustrating the door handle icehandling routine of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a subroutine for sensing icethickness on the door handle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a signal diagram illustrating examples of capacitive sensorsignals processed to determine presence of ice and ice thickness;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a motor vehicle with one of thedeployable door handles having lighting and shown in a retractedposition flush with the exterior of the door, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of section XII of FIG. 11 showing thedeployable door handle in the retracted position;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle with thedeployable door handle of FIG. 11 shown in an extended position withlights illuminated;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of section XIV of FIG. 13 showing thedeployable door handle in the extended position and the lightsilluminated; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic top cut away view taken through line XV-XV ofFIG. 14 showing the deployable door handle of FIG. 11 in the extendedposition and having various light sources, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,”“exterior” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asoriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the inventionmay assume various alternative orientations, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are simply exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relatingto the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wheeled motor vehicle 10 is generallyillustrated having a plurality of variable-speed powered doors equippedwith deployable door handles having proximity sensor based controls,according to one embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes vehicle doors 16provided on opposite sides of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment shown,the vehicle 10 has a front door and a rear door on a first or driver'sside of the vehicle 10 to enable the driver and passengers to enter andexit the seating compartment from the first side, and a front door and arear door on the opposite second or passenger's side of the vehicle 10to enable passengers to access the seating compartment from the secondside. The vehicle doors 12 each include a door panel 14 pivotallyconnected to a frame or body 26 of the vehicle 10. The connectionbetween each door panel 14 and body 26 may include one or more hingeassemblies 18 that allow the door 12 to swing about the hinge assembly18 between the closed and open positions. While the doors 12 arepivoting doors in the embodiment shown, it should be appreciate that oneor more of the doors 12 could otherwise move between open and closedpositions, such as sliding doors.

Each door 12 also includes a deployable door handle 16 located on theexterior side of the door panel 14. The door handle 16 has a deployablehandle body shown and described herein as a flush mounted handle body inthe stowed position that pivots and extends outward to a deployedposition so that a user may grip or interface with the handle 16. Thedoor handle 16 has a first contact surface on a first or inner side toenable a user to contact the door handle 16 when in the deployedposition to input door control commands that may include a door opencommand, a door closing command and door opening speed commands. Thedoor handle 16 has a second contact surface, shown with five keypadcontacts on a second or outer side to enable a user to input door handlecommands such as keypad inputs to deploy the handle body and inputgesture commands such as a swipe command to open or close the door. Itshould be appreciated that the door handle 16 may have other shapes,sizes and configurations.

The door handle 16 has a handle actuator configured to deploy the handlebody outward to the outward extending deployed position and back inwardto the stowed position. The handle actuator may include an electricmotor located within the door 12 that may directly drive or may drivevia a worm gear and wheel the handle body between the extended andstowed positions. The door handle actuator may actuate the handle 16based on user inputs such as a keypad input.

The door 12 includes a door actuator such as an electric motor 20 shownlocated near the hinge assembly 18. The motor 20 is actuatable in afirst direction to open the door to an open position. The motor 20 mayalso be actuatable in the reverse second direction to close the door toa closed position. The door actuator may operate at multiple speeds inresponse to a sensed user hand contacting the first contact surface onthe inner side of the handle to input a door speed control command or auser inputting a swipe gesture command proximate the second contactsurface on the outer side of the handle. For example, the door panel 14may be opened at a first slow speed, or a second middle or normal speedwhich is faster than the first speed, or a fast third speed which isfaster than the second speed, depending on the amount of contact areasensed on the first contact surface of the door handle or speed of aswipe gesture proximate the second contact surface as sensed by aproximity sensor arrangement. The activation may also close the door atone or more speeds.

The vehicle door 12 may further include a door latch assembly 22configured to engage a latch mechanism 24 on the vehicle body 26 whenthe door panel 14 is in the closed position. The door latch assembly 22may be electronically controlled to latch and unlatch the door 12 basedon a user input as sensed by the proximity sensor arrangement. Forexample, the latch assembly 22 may unlatch when either a user's hand isdetected or sensed contacting the first contact surface on the innerside of the deployed door handle 16 or a swipe gesture command isdetected on the second contact surface on the outer surface of thestowed door handle 16, and a vehicle key fob 82 (FIG. 3) or otherelectronic device such as a smartphone is sensed in close proximity(e.g., within one meter) to the corresponding vehicle door 12. When thedoor is closed, the latch assembly 22 will latch onto the latchmechanism 24 on the vehicle body 26 to keep the door 12 latched in theclosed position. It should be appreciated that various latchconfigurations may be used. It should also be appreciated that the doorlatch assembly 22 may otherwise be controlled with a key fob or withuser input controls provided on the vehicle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4B, the door 12 and the door handle 16 are furtherillustrated in greater detail in both a flush stowed position and anoutward extended deployed position. The door handle 16 is shown locatedon the exterior surface of the door panel 14 and is flush mounted withinthe door panel 14 when in the flush stowed position as shown in FIGS. 3and 4A. A user may input a gesture swipe command via the user's hand 17by swiping across capacitive sensors arranged in the handle body fromleft to right to open the door or from right to left to close the door,for example. This gesture swipe command may occur with the handle bodyin the stowed position or in the extended position. A handle motor 72may be activated to pivot the handle 16 from the flush stowed positionshown in FIG. 4A to the outward extended deployed position shown in FIG.4B in which the vehicle rearward portion of the handle 16 extendsoutward from the vehicle door. The handle 16 has a handle body 36configured with a first or inner side 44A and a second or outer side 44Bwhich is exposed to a user positioned outside of the vehicle 10. Theouter side 44B of the handle 16 includes a plurality of keypad inputs70A-70E, which enable a user to sequentially enter keypad inputs todeploy the handle 16 and to unlock and lock the door. Thus, when thehandle 16 is in the flush stowed position, the user may enter a sequenceof codes on the keypad to deploy the handle 16 and to unlock or lock thedoor latch assembly 22 on the door 12. The keypad inputs 70A-70E may bepositioned on a flush surface or may have contoured touch pads.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the door handle 16 is generally shown as adeployable handle that may deploy from the flush stowed position shownin FIG. 4A to an extended deployed position shown in FIG. 4B in whichthe handle 16 is pivoted outward to enable a user to grip the handle 16on the inner side 44A to enable the user to apply a handle pull forceand input a door command signal to unlatch the door 12, actuate the doorto the open position at a select speed, and to actuate the door to theclosed position. The deployable door handle 16 pivots about a hingeassembly 50. The hinge assembly 50 may be configured to provide an overcenter pivoting rotation of the door handle 16. When the handle motor 72is activated for extending the handle, the hinge assembly 50 pivots thevehicle rearward portion of the handle 16 outward to the deployedposition extending outward at an angle in the range of fifteen degreesto sixty degrees (15°-60°).

The hinge assembly 50 includes a first rod 52 pivotally connected on oneend to one end of a second rod 54 via a first pivot pin 62. The oppositeend of the first rod 52 is connected to a second pivot pin 60. Theopposite end of the second rod 54 is connected to a third rod 56 via athird pivot pin 58. The opposite end of the third rod 56 is connected toa fourth pivot pin 66. The handle motor 70 is illustrated as a directdrive motor in FIGS. 4A and 4B for actuating the door handle betweenstowed and extended deployed positions, according to one embodiment. Inthis embodiment, the handle motor 72 is connected to the first pivot pin62 which connects to rods 52 and 54. The motor 72 may push on rod 52 tocause the handle body 36 to pivot towards the stowed position and maypull on rod 62 to cause the handle body 36 to move towards the extendedposition.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, the handle motor 72may be configured with a worm gear 76 that engages a wheel 78 that, inturn, is connected to the first pivot pin 62. As such, the motor 72rotates the worm gear 76 to turn wheel 78 to move rod 52 forward andbackward to cause the handle body 36 to move between the stowed andextended positions. It should further be appreciated that the handle 16may otherwise be configured with an actuator to move between the stowedand extended positions. Further, the handle may be manually activated tothe extended position by a user applying inward force on the leftmostend of the handle body.

The door handle 16 includes a proximity sensor arrangement 32 located onthe door handle body 36 and configured to sense a user's handinterfacing with the door handle 16 both on the first contact surface30A on the inner side 44A of the door handle 16 and on the secondcontact surface 30B on the outer side of the door handle 16. Theproximity sensor arrangement 32 has one or more proximity sensorsconfigured to sense a user in close proximity, e.g., within onemillimeter, or in contact with the first contact surface 30A on theinner side 44A of the door handle 16 and on the second contact surface30B on the outer side 44B of the door handle 16. In the embodimentshown, the proximity sensor arrangement 32 includes five proximitysensors 32A-32E shown evenly spaced along a length of the handle body 36of the door handle 16 for generating corresponding sense activationfields 42A-42E. The sense activation fields 42A-42E operate as sensingfields and are shown extending on the inner side 44A of the handle 16and overlapping with one another and sufficiently covering the firstcontact surface 30A and further extending on the outer side 44B of thehandle 16 in narrow fields that do not overlap with each other and coverthe second contact surface 30B which has keypad contact surfaces forfive individual keypads. Each of the proximity sensors 32A-32E generatesa sense activation field 42A-42E and generates a signal in response tosensed interference with the corresponding sense activation field. Thesignal generated with each proximity sensor 32A-32E is processed by acontroller to detect the presence of a user e.g., hand or one or morefingers of a user, within the sense activation field and generates asignal amplitude dependent upon the amount of interference or contactwith the contact surface 30 on the inner side 44A or the outer side 44Bwithin the sense activation field. For example, when a user's hand orfinger lightly touches the inner side 44A of the door handle 16, arelatively smaller amplitude signal is generated, whereas if the user'shand pulls on the inner side 44A of the door handle 16 on the contactsurface 30, the amount of signal amplitude generated by each sensor isgreater.

The proximity sensors 32A-32E are located within a housing of the handlebody 36 of door handle 16 in close proximity to the first contactsurface 30A. The door handle 16, particularly the first contact surface30 on the inner side 44A, is preferably made of a material, such aspolymeric material, that does not interfere with the sense activationfields 42A-42E. The inner side 44B of the handle may have a roughenedsurface or gripping pattern for enhanced gripping. Each of the proximitysensors 32A-32E is located on a printed circuit board 34 which mayinclude other electrical circuitry. The printed circuit board 34includes a controller or control circuitry which may include amicroprocessor which may be electrically connected to the proximitysensors 32A-32E and may process the signal generated by each of thesensors 30A-32E. It should be appreciated that each of the proximitysensors 32A-32E are located on one side of the printed circuit board 34facing towards the first contact surface 30A on the inner side 44A ofthe door handle 16. A ground layer 37 is disposed on the opposite sideof the printed circuit board 34 and thus is located on the side of thecircuit board 34 generally facing towards the outer side 44B of the doorhandle 16. The ground layer 37 is made of an electrically conductivematerial that is grounded to an electrical ground. The ground layer 37provides a beam shaping shield located between the sensors 32A-32E andthe outer side 44B to generate a narrower sensing field on the outerside 44B of the handle body 36 for each sensor. The ground layer 37 hasholes that allow a portion of the sense activation fields to extendtherethrough to the outer side 44B and prevents a portion of the senseactivation fields 42A-42E generated by each of the sensors 32A-32E fromextending towards the outer side 44B of the door handle 16 whileallowing the sense activation fields 42A-42E to extend towards the innerside 44A of the door handle 16 where the first contact surface 30A islocated.

In the embodiment shown, the plurality of proximity sensors 32A-32Eincludes a linear array of five sensors, however, it should beappreciated that one or more proximity sensors may be employed in thearray of proximity sensors. Additionally, it should be appreciated thatthe array of proximity sensors 32A-32E is configured to sense theproximity of objects located at or near the first contact surface 30A onthe inner side 44A of the door handle 16 and on the outer side of thedoor handle 16 at or near the second contact surface 30B, according toone embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that the array ofproximity sensors 32A-32E may be provided on a different side of thedoor handle 16, according to other embodiments. It should further beappreciated that the powered door 12 may be implemented on any side doorof the vehicle 10 or another door of the vehicle, such as a vehicletailgate or an interior door handle according to other embodiments.

The proximity sensors 32A-32E are shown and described herein ascapacitive sensors, according to one embodiment. Each capacitive sensorincludes at least one capacitive sensor that provides a sense activationfield 42A-42E used as a sensing field to sense contact or closeproximity (e.g., within one millimeter) of an object, such as the hand(e.g., palm and/or fingers) of a user or operator in relation to the oneor more proximity sensors 32A-32E. The capacitive sensors may operate asa capacitive switch that may deploy the handle and may unlatch the doorlatch and may operate as a switch input to control the variable-speed ofthe door motor for opening the door and closing the door and may be usedto detect keypad inputs and may detect gesture inputs. In thisembodiment, the sense activation field of each proximity sensor is acapacitive field and the user's hand, including the palm, thumb andother fingers, has electrical conductivity and dielectric propertiesthat cause a change or disturbance in the sense activation field asshould be evident to those skilled in the art. However, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that additional or alternativetypes of proximity sensors can be used, such as, but not limited toinductive sensors, optical sensors, temperature sensors, resistivesensors, the like or a combination thereof. Exemplary proximity sensorsare described in the Apr. 9, 2009, ATMEL® Touch Sensors Design Guide,10620 D-AT42-04/09, the entire reference hereby being incorporatedherein by reference.

Each of the capacitive sensors may be configured with electricalcircuitry that may be printed with conductive ink on a substrate andgenerally includes a drive electrode and a receive electrode, eachhaving interdigitated fingers for generating a capacitive field,according to one embodiment. It should be appreciated that each of theproximity sensors 32A-32E may otherwise be formed. Each capacitivesensor may have a drive electrode that typically receives a square wavedrive pulse applied at a voltage and a receive electrode that has anoutput for generating an output voltage. It should be appreciated thatthe electrodes may be arranged in various configurations for generatingthe capacitive field as the sense activation field.

In one embodiment, the drive electrode of each proximity sensor isapplied with a voltage input as square wave pulses having a charge pulsecycle sufficient to charge the receive electrode to a desired voltage.The receive electrode thereby serves as a measurement electrode. When auser or operator, such as a user's hand or thumb or other fingers,enters a sense activation field associated with one of the sensors, thedisturbance caused by the hand or fingers to the activation field isdetected and a signal is generated. Each of the signals is processed bya controller to determine whether or not a user input is detected andwhether to control the door actuator to control the opening speed of thedoor at a high, medium or low speed, whether to close the door, whethera keypad input to deploy the handle or lock or unlock the door wasdetected, and whether a swipe gesture command to open or close the doorwas detected, according to various embodiments. The disturbance of eachsense activation field is detected by processing a charge pulse signalassociated with the corresponding signal channel. When the user's handor fingers enter the sense activation fields, the disturbance of eachsense activation field is processed via separate signal channels.

The sense activation fields 42A-42E generated by each individualproximity sensor is shown in FIGS. 4A-4C slightly overlapping on thefirst contact surface 30A on the inner side, however, it should beappreciated that the sense activation fields may be smaller or largerand may overlap more or less depending on the sensitivity of theindividual sense activation fields. By employing a plurality of senseactivation fields on the interior side of the handle 16 in closeproximity to the first contact surface 30A, the size and shape of thehand and the amount of gripping contact with the first contact surface30A may be determined based on the sensed signals. The amplitude of eachsignal may vary based on the size of the hand and the amount of contacton the first contact surface 30A where the sense activation field islocated. Additionally, the amount of contact on the first contactsurface 30A extending throughout the entire interior surface of thehandle 16 may be determined by processing the signals that are generatedwith all five capacitive sensors. The sum total of two or more of thefive signals or an average value of the signals generated by thecapacitive sensors may be processed to determine the contact area on thefirst contact surface 30A and the user input command. Thus, one or allof the proximity sensors 32A-32E may sense the size of the contact areaengaged by a user's hand on the first contact surface 30A.

When an initial contact or close contact of a hand is made with thefirst contact surface 30A on the inner side 44A of the door handle 16,an initial signal level may be established which may be used to unlatchthe door 12, particularly when the user is detected in close proximityto the door with a key fob in possession. According to one embodiment,an initial level is established when the user inputs a door unlatchcommand. However, the initial signal level may be entered at othercontact forces. Once unlatched, the door may be controlled to open withthe actuator assist based on a user's input applied by the handcontacting the first contact surface 30A of the door handle 16. Theactuator may actuate the door opening at a first speed when a greaterfirst size contact area is sensed relative to the initial contact. Theactuator may be controlled to actuate the door opening at a greatersecond speed when a greater second size contact area is sensed relativeto the initial contact. The actuator may further be controlled toactuate the door opening at a third speed when a larger third sizecontact area is sensed relative to the initial contact. Thus, a user maygrab the handle 16 and unlatch the door such that the door is free fromthe body and may open, and then may proceed to apply a desired amount offorce onto the first contact surface 30A by gripping the door handle 16which flattens the hand and increases the contact area applied to thecontact surface 30 on the inner side of the handle. The change in thesensed contact area is used to control the speed of the opening of thedoor with the actuator. By pulling on the door lightly, the firstcontact area is achieved, whereas by pulling on the door with a greateramount of force resulting in a greater contact with the contact surface30 of the handle 16, a greater door opening speed may be achieved. Bypulling even harder on the door with a greater force in a furtherenhanced contact surface may be achieved which causes yet a greater dooropening speed. Additionally, by pulling on the door handle repeatedlywith at least two pulls, a door input command for closing the door maybe determined.

The second contact surface 30B on the outer side 44B of the door handle16 is made up of individual keypad contacts that serve as keypad inputsfor enabling a person to enter a sequence of inputs to deploy the handleto the extended position and to lock and unlock the vehicle doors,according to one embodiment. The use of the keypad to deploy the handleand lock and unlock the door(s) works well when the user does notpossess the key fob. The user selectable input keypads are shownarranged horizontally on the driver side door, according to oneembodiment. The input pads each define a region upon which a user maytouch the input pad with a finger or come in close proximity thereto toenter an input selection. The input pads may each include lightedcharacters that include backlighting and illustrate numerical charactersfor a corresponding input entry. The characters may include numericalcharacters 1 and 2 (1-2) for the first input pad, numerical characters 3and 4 (3-4) for the second input pad, numerical characters 5 and 6 (5-6)for the third input pad, numerical characters 7 and 8 (7-8) for thefourth input pad and numerical characters 9 and 0 (9-0) for the fifthinput pad. It should be appreciated that other characters such asletters or symbols may be employed as input keypad identifiers. Each ofthe input keypads is aligned with one of the proximity sensors thatpasses to the second contact surface 30B on the outer side 44B of thehandle 16 and senses contact or close proximity, e.g., within 1millimeter of the user's finger with the corresponding keypad anddefines a binary switch output (on or off) indicative of a user'sselection of that corresponding input keypad.

The light illumination of each of the characters for the correspondinginput pads may be achieved by employing a light source 39, such as oneor more LEDs, e.g., RGB LEDs. The light source 39 is in opticalcommunication with a light pipe 40 which extends through openings 38 inthe ground layer 37. As such, light generated by the light source 39illuminates each of the numerical characters on the outer side of thekeypad. The light source may generate colored light including red andgreen light for use as status indicators.

A user may advantageously input a code as a sequence of inputs into thekeypads to deploy the handle and to lock and unlock the vehicle door byentering a programmed sequence of input characters (e.g., numbers) viathe keypads labeled with the identifier characters. In the locked state,the door latch assembly 22 is locked such that it will not be able tounlatch and open. When the user interacts with the sense activationfield extending within one of the keypads, a signal associated with thecorresponding proximity sensor is generated. It should be appreciatedthat the signal generated by the proximity sensors due to interactionwith the sensed activation field on the outer surface 44B of the doormay have a significantly smaller amplitude due to the reduced size andshape of the corresponding activation fields as compared to a signalgenerated when a user interacts with the first contact surface 30A onthe inner side 44A of the handle 16 with a similar touch event.Accordingly, the controller may also determine a keypad input based onthe lower amplitude and the individual activation of one keypad at atime, as opposed to detecting multiple signals sensing an object on thefirst contact surface 30A when a hand interacts with multiple fields atone time.

A user may advantageously input a gesture command, such as a hand orfinger swipe movement from left to right or right to left across thelinear array of capacitive sensors as a command to open or close thedoor 12. The swipe motion may be input when the handle 16 is in eitherthe extended deployed position or the flush stowed position. A swipemotion from left to right may be used as a door open command, whereas aswipe motion from the right to left side may be used as a door closecommand, according to one embodiment. The swipe motion is detected bydetecting a sequential detection of each sensor signal across the lineararray within a predetermined time period. The speed of the swipe motionmay control the speed of the opening of the door.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 80 for determining various userinput commands, sensing ice on the handle, and controlling variousactuators is illustrated, according to one embodiment. The controller 80may include a microprocessor 40 and memory 46. It should be appreciatedthat the controller 80 may include analog and/or digital circuitry. Thecontroller 80 receives signals from each of the capacitive sensors32A-32E associated with a door handle. The controller 80 may process thesignals to determine a keypad input such as a touch input, a gripping orpulling input, a swipe motion or other gesture input commands, and mayfurther determine an ice accumulation and thickness of ice accumulationon the handle body. The controller 80 also receives inputs from a keyfob 82 and may determine the distance between the key fob and each door.A temperature sensor 95 may input a handle temperature or vehicleexterior temperature to the controller 80. Further, controller 80 maycommunicate with a Bluetooth enabled device 84, such as a user's phoneand may determine the distance between the Bluetooth enabled device andthe doors or the vehicle and the relative position of the Bluetoothenabled device. Further, controller 80 receives an indication of theposition of the handle motor and motor current at block 86, and may alsoreceive ride share information 88 and vehicle speed 90. The controller80 processes the input signals pursuant to one or more control routinessuch as routines 98, 100, 150 and 200 which may be executed by themicroprocessor 44. A lookup table 300 stored in memory 96 may storevalues for controlling the handle motor to break the detected ice basedon the ice thickness and temperature, according to one embodiment.

The controller 80 may control various control devices, such as thehandle presenter motor 72 to move the handle between the stowed andextended positions, and the handle lighting device 92 to illuminate thehandle body and to control the color of the light. Further, thecontroller 80 may provide control signals to the door actuator 20 toopen and close the door and the speed of opening and closing the door.Further, controller 80 may provide control output signals to the doorlatch assembly 22 and may output Bluetooth enabled and web text outputs94.

Referring to FIG. 6, the door handle presenter open routine 100 isillustrated, according to one embodiment. Routine 100 begins at step 102and proceeds to step 104 to determine if a user input code is entered ortyped in on the keypad and a key fob or authorized Bluetooth enableddevice such as a phone is within three feet of the door handle and auser's hand is held for three seconds over the keypad or if a key fob isin front of the door handle for more than ten seconds and, if so,proceeds to decision step 106 to determine if a latch override isreceived and, if not, presents the latch handle to the extended deployedposition and flashes the handle light with green light at step 110.Next, at step 112, routine 100 opens the door if a swipe open gesturecommand is detected on the outer side of the presented deployed handleor, if a handle pull is detected on the inner side of the handle.Proceeding to decision step 114, routine 100 determines if a swipeclosed gesture command is detected and, if not, returns to step 118. Ifa swipe closed gesture command is detected, routine 100 closes the doorat step 116 before returning to step 102.

If the latch override is received in step 106, routine 100 proceeds tostep 108 to flash the handle light on all handles and to the photographto obtain images of the inside and outside of the vehicle and transmitsthe images to a ride share customer who is attempting to enter thatlatch override that has been executed, and informs a ride sharingservice or depot to reschedule the ride and charge the customer whooverrode the latch before returning to step 118.

If in decision step 104, if neither a code is typed in nor a keyfob/phone is within three feet of the door handle while a hand is heldfor three seconds over the keypad, nor a keypad is in front of the doorhandle for more than ten seconds, routine 100 proceeds to decision step120. At decision step 120, routine 100 determines if the key fob iswithin three feet of the door handle and a swipe open gesture command isimmediately made, or if an autonomous vehicle (AV) trip code has beensent in the last three seconds while the phone was located within fivefeet of the vehicle, then routine 100 proceeds to decision step 122 todetermine if the latch override has been received. If a latch overridehas been received, routine 122 proceeds to step 108. If no latchoverride is received, routine 100 proceeds to step 124 to open the dooror, in the case of an autonomous vehicle operation, only present thosehandles on the doors the customer is to enter through before proceedingto step 114.

If in decision step 120 neither the key fob is within three feet of thedoor while a swipe open command motion is immediately detected nor anautonomous vehicle trip code has been sent in the last three secondswhile the phone was located within five feet of the vehicle, routine 100proceeds to decision step 126 to determine if the autonomous vehicle isat a depot and, if so, presents all handles extended to the deployedposition when approached by an authorized Bluetooth enabled device sothat all handles are in the open position before returning to step 114.

Referring to FIG. 7, a handle presenter close routine 150 isillustrated, according to one embodiment. Routine 150 begins at step 152and proceeds to step 154 to determine if a handle is in the deployedposition for a time period of more than five seconds; or if a door hasbeen swiped with a close gesture command; or if the vehicle has startedto move; or if a key fob/Bluetooth enabled device on a person that typedthe code moved more than two feet further away from the vehicle and, ifso, closes the handle at step 156 before returning at step 158.Otherwise, routine 100 returns to step 152.

The deployable vehicle door handle 16 employs the door actuator in theform of electric motor 72 to deploy and stow the handle body and thedoor actuator is also used to break ice that forms on the handle body,particularly when the handle body is in the stowed position. Iceformation on the handle body is determined by sensing ice and thethickness of the ice on the handle body with one or more of thecapacitive sensors 32A-32E. An average value of the capacitive sensors32A-32E may be employed to sense the presence of ice and the thicknessof the ice, according to one embodiment. According to anotherembodiment, the largest value of the capacitive sensors may be employedto determine ice and ice thickness. Based on known data, the amplitudeof the capacitive signal may be compared to a known range of valuesindicative of ice formed on the handle and the amplitude within thatrange may indicate the thickness of the ice. In the event that the iceforms an electrical ground path, a grounded ice condition may bedetected base on known values.

When ice formation is detected on the handle body, the handle actuatormay be activated in such as a manner as to create a hammering action tobreak the ice from the handle. The hammering action may be achieved bycycling the electric motor 72 in opposite opening and closingdirections. The motor current and torque generated with a pulse widthmodulation signal input the motor 72 can be controlled to create thehammering action. For a handle actuator having a gear such as the wormgear, the cycling of the motor between opening and closing directionsmay create backlash within the gear arrangement which may further helpto break the ice. Given a high torque motor, the motor may be operatedat a 100% pulse width modulation for a limited time period, such as fiveseconds to create the hammering action with forward and reverse motionusing the gear lash to break the ice. This is in comparison to a motorthat may otherwise normally operate at 20% pulse width modulation,according to one example. The handle actuator is controlled to createthe hammering action to break the ice based on the thickness of the icedetected. For a greater thickness of ice, the motor torque and hammeringaction are increased to break the ice, whereas, for a lesser icethickness, the hammering action and torque may be decreased. Thus, themotor may be controlled to break the ice based on the amount ofthickness of the ice detected on the handle.

In addition, the motor may be controlled based on the temperature of thehandle or other outside temperature that gives an approximate handletemperature, since the strength of ice may vary based on temperature.The temperature of the handle or outside environment may be measured bya vehicle exterior sensor or a temperature sensor located on or near thehandle. Generally, the sheer strength of ice increases with lowertemperature. As a result, the motor drive current may be increased at alower temperature. The amount of motor current or torque needed togenerate to break the ice may be stored in a lookup table based on icethickness and temperature and may be employed to control the motor tobreak the ice. Alternatively, an algorithm may be employed that computesthe motor current or torque for a given temperature and ice thickness.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the door handle ice handling routine 200is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Routine 200 begins at step202 and proceeds to step 204 to acquire one or more of the capacitivesensor signals sensed by the proximity sensors. Next, routine 200proceeds to decision step 206 to determine if the capacitive sensorsignal is outside of a no activity clear range and, if not, returns tostep 202. If the capacitive sensor signal is determined to be outside ofthe no activity clear range, routine 200 proceeds to decision step 208to determine if a user touch pattern is detected. If a user touchpattern is detected, routine 200 proceeds to step 210 to process a usertouch input before returning to step 202. If no user touch pattern isdetected, routine 200 proceeds to decision step 212 to determine if thesignal is stable and, if not, proceeds to step 214 to detect a possibleuser activity or condensation condition before returning to step 202. Ifthe signal is stable, routine 200 proceeds to decision step 216 todetermine if the signal is detected within an ice range and, if not,returns to step 202. If the signal is within the ice range, routine 200proceeds to step 218 to acquire the handle temperature, which mayinclude a temperature of the handle as detected by a temperature sensoron or near the handle indicative of the outside handle temperature.Next, at decision step 220, routine 200 determines if the temperature isless than 32° F. and, if not, returns to step 202. If the temperature isdetermined to be less than 32° F., routine 200 proceeds to step 222 todetermine the thickness of the ice accumulated on the handle based onthe capacitive sensor signal and a baseline signal. Next, routine 200calculates a motor pulse width modulation (PWM) from either a lookuptable based on the sensed temperature and ice thickness or from analgorithm that computes the ice thickness based on temperature and icethickness. Next, at decision step 226, routine 200 determines if thepulse width modulation is greater than a predetermined value such as100% and, if so, proceeds to step 228 to set the motor burst at aboutfive times the normal maximum torque for a time period of less than fiveseconds. The increased motor burst creates increased torque in anattempt to break the ice based on the thickness of the ice. If the pulsewidth modulation is not greater than 100%, routine 200 proceeds to step230 to activate the motor at a pulse width modulation for five seconds,and then rests the motor for five seconds at step 232 before acquiringthe capacitive sensor signals seen at step 234. Next, at decision step236, routine 200 determines if the signal is within the ice range and,if so, determines the ice thickness based on the signal and thebaseline, and then returns to step 224. Otherwise, routine 200 returnsto step 202.

Referring to FIG. 9, a subroutine 250 for determine the ice thickness onthe handle is illustrated, according to one embodiment. Routine 250begins at step 252 to begin the ice thickness detection subroutine andthen proceeds to decision step 254 to determine if the signal is above asensor clear value. If the signal is above a sensor clear value, routine250 proceeds to step 256 to use a lookup table or an integral formula tocalculate ice thickness based on the signal minus the baseline. If thesignal is not above the sensor clear value, routine 250 proceeds to step258 to use the lookup table or reverse integral to calculate icethickness based on the baseline minus the signal value. Routine 250thereafter ends at step 260. It should be appreciate that subroutine 250continuously determines the ice thickness for use in the routine 200 tocontrol the motor to break the ice on the handle.

Referring to FIG. 10, examples of capacitive sensor signals areillustrated under various conditions. Signal 300 illustrates acapacitive signal during a rain event which causes variations in thesignal amplitude due to the movement of the water flowing on or near thehandle. Signal 302 illustrates condensation formed on the handle at arelatively high amplitude. Signal 304 illustrates a stable signalgenerated with a capacitive sensor when ice is formed on the handle andis not grounding the handle. The amplitude of signal 304 may vary withinan ice range R_(T) depending upon the thickness of the ice. Thethickness of the ice may be determined with the controller by processingthe signal amplitude as described herein. In one embodiment, thethickness of the ice is determined based on the signal amplitude wherethe signal increases with an increase in ice thickness. The signal 306indicates a clear handle stable signal when there is no activity on thehandle and is shown located within the no activity clear range R_(C).Signal 308 illustrates a signal detected when there is ice accumulationon the handle that grounds out the signal. The amplitude of signal 308may vary within a grounded ice range RTG depending on the thickness ofthe ice. In this case, the ice creates an electrical ground path thatgrounds the capacitive signal. Signal 310 illustrates a signal generatedwhen condensation is formed on a handle that is grounded. The controller80 may advantageously determine the presence of ice and the thickness ofthe ice on the handle in an ice condition when the signal is within theice range R_(T) or grounded ice range R_(TG), and may further determineice formed on the handle that is grounded by using a lookup table or analgorithm and may control the handle motor 72 based on the sensedthickness of the ice to break the ice.

The controller 80 may monitor the capacitive sensor signal or signalsand determine whether there is a formation of ice on the handle based onthe signal amplitude within an ice range, such as signal 304 when theice does not ground the signal or signal 308 when the ice does groundthe signal. Based on the amplitude of signal 304 or signal 308, thethickness of the ice may be determined. When the signal is grounded out,the controller 80 may detect a grounded signal such as signal 308 inwhich the signal grounding affects the capacitive signal. Accordingly,ice may be detected by monitoring the capacitive signal amplitude andice thickness may be determined when the ice is within an ice range andthe ice thickness may be used to control a motor to break the ice.

Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the door handle 16advantageously employs a deployable handle body with proximity sensorsthat are used to input gesture commands to control an actuator to deploythe handle. The sensors may be multifunctional and may be used to enterkeypad inputs, gesture commands, and door control commands.Additionally, the controller may determine the presence of ice andthickness of ice and may control the actuator to advantageously removethe ice. As a result, the powered door opening assist provides forenhanced door opening functionality.

Referring to FIGS. 11-15, a motor vehicle 10 is shown having adeployable door handle 16 that includes light illumination forilluminating the handle and exterior areas proximate to the vehicle,according to one embodiment. The deployable door handle 16 has adeployable handle body 36 that moves by rotation or pivoting actionbetween a flush mounted stowed position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and anextended deployed position shown in FIGS. 13-15. In the extendeddeployed position, the handle body 36 is presented to enable a user togrip or interface with the handle body 36 as described herein. Thedeployable door handle 16 may include a handle actuatable motor 72 foractuating the handle body 36 between the flush mounted stowed positionand the outward extended deployed position. Additionally oralternatively, the deployable door handle 16 may be actuated manually bythe hand 17 of a user by applying an inward pushing force on a push end420 of the handle body 36 to cause the handle body 36 to pivot outwardto the extended deployed position. The mechanical actuation achievedwith the user pushing force on the push end 420 may operate without theuse of the actuator motor 72 or may be used to manually override thehandle motor 72 in the event that the motor 72 is not functioningproperly to pivot and extend the handle body 36.

The handle body 36 may have a lighted portion 430 located on an exteriorsurface 462 of the handle body 36 at or near the push end 420 asillustrated in FIG. 12 for illuminating the push end 420 or indicia ator near the push end 420 as an indicator for where manual inward forceshould be applied to pivot and thereby extend the handle body 30 to thedeployed position. The lighted portion 430 may include one or moreilluminable icons or characters that may be backlit with a light sourcesuch as a light emitting diode (LED) or a plurality of LEDs.

The deployable door handle 16 also has a plurality of light sources 404,406 and 408 located on the handle body 36 as best seen in FIGS. 13-15.Each of the light sources 404, 406 and 408 may include one or morelight-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to one embodiment. The lightsources 404, 406 and 408 provide directed light illumination toilluminate areas proximate to the vehicle 10 and handle body 36 when thehandle body 36 is in the extended deployed position as described herein.

The first light source 404 is located on the inside surface 464 of thehandle body 36 and is oriented to direct light illumination towards acavity 460 in the door 12 defined by a housing 400 which houses thehandle body 36 when in the flush mounted stowed position. The housing400 defines the cavity 460 which is shaped and sized to sufficientlyreceive and store the handle body 36 in the flush mounted stowedposition. Disposed on the outer facing surface of the housing 400 is areflective surface 402. The reflective surface 402 may include ametalized layer having light reflective properties for reflecting lightthat is illuminated into the cavity 460 within the housing shell and toredirect the light outward onto the handle body 36 and therebyilluminate the handle body 36 when in the extended deployed position.Accordingly, when the handle body 36 is in the outward extended deployedposition, the first light source 404 is activated to direct a visiblefirst light beam 414 towards the reflective surface 402 so that thelight beam 414 illuminates the cavity 460 within the housing 400 and theextended handle body 36. This enables a user to visually view the handlebody 36 in dark or low light so that the user may grab the handle body36 to open the door, close the corresponding door or control the speedof opening and closing of the door as described herein.

The second light source 406 is located on the outside surface 462 of thehandle body 36 at a position shown approximately midway between the endsof the handle body 36 or closer to the push end 420 as compared to theouter extending end 440. The second light source 406 may be activatedwhen the handle body 36 is in the extended deployed position to providea visible second light beam 416 which may be in the form of a puddlelamp to illuminate the ground area proximate to the vehicle door 12 toprovide enhanced lighting for an occupant entering or leaving thevehicle 10. The second light beam 416 generated with the second lightsource 406 may also provide a downwash door light to illuminate theexterior surface of a vehicle door 12 so as to illuminate signage orprint 450 which may include a visible ink print 450A on the exteriorsurface of the door 12 when the deployable door handle 16 is in theextended deployed position. As such, when the handle body 36 ordeployable door handle 16 moves to the extended deployed position suchthat the handle body 36 pivots and extends outward, the second lightsource 406 is activated to illuminate the exterior portion of the door12 and the ground surface proximate thereto.

The third light source 408 is located on the exterior surface 462 of thehandle body 36 near an outer end 440 of the handle body 36. The thirdlight source 408 is oriented to direct a third light beam 418 onto theexterior body panel of the vehicle door 12 so as to illuminate signageor print 450 such as phosphor ink print 450B on exterior surface of thevehicle door 12. According to one embodiment, the third light source 408generates ultraviolet (UV) lighting in the third light beam 418 that maybe used to excite phosphor, such as short or long persistence phosphor.The illumination of UV light onto a printed phosphor ink 450B of print450 on the exterior surface of the door 12 will illuminate the phosphor.This advantageously allows for signage or print 450 to be employed onthe outside of the vehicle which has phosphor and is generally onlyviewable generally when the third light source 408 is activated. Thethird light source 408 is activated when the handle body 36 is in theoutward extended deployed position as seen in FIGS. 13-15.

When a user's hand 17 engages the handle body 36 as shown in FIG. 15,the user's hand 17 may grip the handle body 36 in a manner that maypartially or fully cover one or more of the light sources 404, 406 and408. In order to prevent covering the third light source 408, the handlebody 36 includes a raised end portion 410 at or near the exterior end440 of the handle body 36, shown generally extending inward from theinside of the handle body 36. The raised end 410 has an enlarged widthat a sloped angle that prevents the user's hand 17 from sliding ormoving further outward to a position that would otherwise cover thethird light source 408. The sloped angle may be in the range of 10-90degrees, according to one example. This prevents the user from puttingtheir hand over the light source 408, thereby enabling signage on thedoor to be illuminated with the light source 408 while gripping thehandle body 36. In addition, the raised end 410 provides a restingposition for a user's hand such that the hand does not extend inwardstowards the push end 420 where the hand may otherwise cover one or bothof the first and second light sources 404 and 406.

In addition, an optional proximity sensor 422 is shown located proximateto the third light source 408. The proximity sensor 422 may include oneor more capacitive sensors for sensing the presence of a user's hand 17at a position on the handle body 36 that may block illumination of lightfrom the third light source 408. The proximity sensor 422 is shownlocated in the handle body 36 located proximate the base of the raisedportion 410. When a user's hand is detected by the proximity sensor inclose proximity to the third light source 408, the third light source408 may be deactivated. As such, a user may feel more comfortablegrabbing the handle body 36 with a hand positioned to cover the thirdlight source 408.

Each of the light sources 404, 406 and 408 may be embedded within thehandle body 36, according to one embodiment. The light sources 404, 406and 408 may be assembled on a common circuit board within the handlebody 36. The handle body 36 may include a thermally conductive material,such as metal, that provides for a heat sink to sink the thermal energy(heat) away from the light sources 404, 406 and 408 so as to prevent hotspots along the handle body 36.

Accordingly, the deployable vehicle door handle 16 advantageouslyprovides light illumination to illuminate the handle body 36 and areasproximate to the vehicle 10. This enables a user to view and actuate thehandle body 36 when in the extended deployed position. This furtherenables the user to illuminate the ground and sides of the vehicle 10proximate thereto to provide for enhanced lighting.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle exterior door handle comprising: a housing defining a cavity within a door of a vehicle; a deployable handle body that moves between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position extending outside of the cavity; a visible first light source located on an interior side of the handle body for illuminating light in the cavity within the housing when the handle body is in the extended deployed position; and a visible second light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating at least one of a ground surface proximate to the vehicle and a vehicle door; and an ultraviolet third light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating phosphor on the vehicle door.
 2. The vehicle door handle of claim 1 further comprising a reflective surface disposed within the housing for reflecting light onto the handle body.
 3. The vehicle door handle of claim 1, wherein the second light source illuminates the ground surface proximate to the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle door handle of claim 1, wherein the third light source is located proximate an outer end of the handle body.
 5. The vehicle door handle of claim 4, wherein the handle body further comprises an enlarged portion for preventing a hand from covering the third light source.
 6. The vehicle door handle of claim 4 further comprising a proximity sensor for sensing a hand proximate to the third light source, wherein the third light source is deactivated when a hand is detected with the proximity sensor.
 7. The vehicle door handle of claim 6, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
 8. The vehicle door handle of claim 1, wherein the handle body comprises a push end for actuating the handle body between the stowed and deployed positions, wherein the push end comprises a further light source for illuminating an actuatable area.
 9. The vehicle door handle of claim 1 further comprising an actuator for rotating the handle body between the stowed and deployed positions.
 10. A vehicle door handle comprising: a housing defining a cavity within a door of a vehicle; a deployable handle body that rotates between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position extending outside of the cavity; a visible first light source located on an interior side of the handle body for illuminating light into the cavity within the housing when the handle body is in the extended deployed position; a reflective surface disposed within the housing for reflecting the light onto the handle body; a visible second light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating a ground surface proximate to the vehicle; and an ultraviolet third light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating a vehicle door.
 11. A vehicle door handle comprising: a housing defining a cavity within a door of a vehicle; a deployable handle body that rotates between a stowed position within the cavity and an extended position extending outside of the cavity; a visible interior light source located on an interior side handle body for illuminating the cavity within the housing when the handle body is in the extended deployed position; a visible exterior light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating at least one of a ground surface proximate to the vehicle and a vehicle door; and an ultraviolet light source located on an exterior side of the handle body for illuminating the vehicle door.
 12. The vehicle door handle of claim 11 further comprising: a reflective surface disposed within the housing for reflecting light from the interior light source onto the handle body.
 13. The vehicle door handle of claim 11, wherein the handle body further comprises an enlarged portion for preventing a hand from covering the exterior light source.
 14. The vehicle door handle of claim 11 further comprising a capacitive sensor for sensing a hand proximate to the exterior light source, wherein the exterior light source is deactivated when a hand is detected with the proximity sensor. 